BAREFOOD
Barefood is Mamet & Ditto, a '90s revivalist indie rock duo from Jakarta.
BAREFOOD: “We hope cute sexy-ass chicks mosh to our songs..”
[interview.aldy kusumah / pics.barefood docs / Dec 2013]
Hello there! We feel the '90s revivalist vibe when hearing your songs. Did the '90s was a huge influence to you guys, musically or creatively?
Mamet: Actually, for me, the 90s term seems really overrated recently, but basically, i think the vibe is came from everything that we heard when we were kid. If you ask me from where / who i got that music influence, so it will be my brothers who is responsible for that. I got my first Blue Album of Weezer from him when am still in elementary school (around 1995 i think), and then he gave me Dog eat Dog, Madball, Netral, etc etc. So Barefood is one of my nostalgic media with every music that i love when i was a kid.
Ditto: Beside, 90's is the era that we've ever experienced, we both born on late 80's and grew up in 90's. We grew up on Sega Genesis, LA gear, Sunday Morning cartoon, basketball card, where MTV still played 'music', so, yeah Barefood is a time machine for us both.
Who are your biggest inspirations from that era?
Mamet: For film, i really love Empire Records & Clerks. for music, i love Swervedriver, Dinosaur jr, and Pale Saints. All those things made me happy. Happiness will lead me to a good inspiration :D
Ditto: My biggest insporations? Actually The Beatles haha, my dad used to play all their songs in our living room, Magical Mystery Tour was so often played.
It's interesting to see a mysterious girl playing Fender Jazzmaster on your album cover. Who did the photography and the concept?
Ditto: The girl in our cover is a 'represent' of what Barefood is, if Barefood could transform into human, probably that girl, hahaha. Guys at Anoa did all the photograph, but the concept is fully from us.
Do How is Barefood concept musically? We really dig your unpretentious, straightforward and simple approach of your lyrics and songs. It's a breath of fresh air amidst all the experimental and artsy bands in Indonesian music scene nowadays..
Mamet: It's just an aggressive pop song. Simple, catchy, but not cheesy.
Ditto : We just don't wanna be so called "deeply lyricist", we made music for fun.
Talking about the local scene, what local bands do you guys digs nowadays?
Mamet: A lot of great music in local scene. I dig Sharesprings, The Wellington, The Porno, Mellonyellow, Matiasu, Vague, Damascus, Whistler Post, Somnyfera etc etc :D
Ditto: Currently listening to Midnight Runners, from Bandung. If you like 80's boogie-dance-disco you gonna dig it.
What did you guys try to bring out in a live performances?
Mame: We want to tell people that simple music arrangement is still can be awesome, and a humble stage attitude is still greater than showing audience how macho we are.
Ditto: And throwing some "garing" jokes on stage is a cool thing hahaha..
Anoa Records seems to have great taste in picking up new bands. How's Barefood signing up process to Anoa Records?
Mamet: We know people from Anoa before the Anoa Records is exist. Yes they have a great taste and great vision when they build Anoa.
The signing process was quite simple. Just "A friend helping friend" agreement.
What is your dream rig, equipment-wise?
Mamet: Fender Bass VI :D
Ditto: Damn, tough question, haha. I think we should doing this on another session. no? Haha..
This is cliche but i have to ask: Where did you guys came with the name Barefood?
Mamet: It's a twist from word "Barefoot". Simple as that. no meaning actually, haha.
Ditto: We both are in a same high school, way before Barefood we had grouply in a hardcore band haha. Then we made decision to quit, and voila, on 2009 Barefood was born.
What's did you guys expect the crowd to do when you guys are playing? Mosh, dance, stare quietly or sing along?
Mamet: Hope more cute sexy ass chicks do moshing..
Ditto: Someone yelling "Ditto!"
Any last shout outs?
Mamet: Desperately need a permanent drummer! (or not ?)
Ditto: Desperately need a girlfriend!
